Prices

[bslowry]

I booked a 7 day Eastern trip for April 1, 2006 four weeks ago for 3700.00 thru DCL. It was a 12 gty. Now the same room is 4800. Cat.11 went from 5000 to 5700! Why do they change their prices so drasticly in such a short time?I am glad I booked when I did. Bridget

 

[kcashner]

The prices are on a tier system and go up as the ship fills. On the repo cruises, I can attest that they were increasing literally overnight, and the CM told me that they were increasing hourly!

When rates are announced and the ship is empty, the prices are low. As the ship fills, you pay more to get what you want. Of course, if you can be flexible about sailing dates, you can get some really good deals off season. I guess it helps fill all the sailing dates rather than just the most popular.

There's no danger in booking early. In the rare event that the price on your cruise is reduced, DCL will match the lower price if you ask for it. The only downside to early booking is that your deposit money is tied up.

Part of the reason that the April dates are increasing is that people have looked at school schedules for this academic year. I sort of considered that cruise, but decided against it as I saw the prices increasing. Besides, last year I suggested a DCL cruise over spring break...DD was so stressed out with school that she just wanted to stay home and sleep!

 

[myboysmom]

You must be getting on the boat as we are getting off! We are on the March 25, 2006 Western that arrives back on April 1.

We booked way back in Oct. 2004 and our price is now over $2,600 more than what we confirmed way back then. It is not a 12, the 12 is now more than what we booked our higher category room at!

We were told by our TA and these boards that the rates will really start to rise as the boats fill. This is the "early booking" discount you hear about.

 

[tvguy]

3 words

Supply and demand.

 

[4formickey]

I wonder if the price of oil is helping to increase the price?

 

[Kimmielee]

My Easter cruise "cat 5" room is the same price as I booked it... but that was just a few weeks ago!

 

[tvguy]

I wonder if the price of oil is helping to increase the price?

I'm sure it isn't helping prices, but not enough to make up a 20% price hike for the whole cruise. I bet labor, food, and fixed costs are a bigger percentage of the fair than fuel.

 

[musicgirl]

I think it is also a marketing trick. If people know that they will get a better deal the earlier they book, people will solidify their vacations earlier. More people will worry that they will not get to go on a specific date because others book early, so they will book early.

This also helps with filling the ship because people know they will most likely not find a last minute deal. If I had a ship this big, I would want to know as soon possible if I would be making ends meet. I wouldn't want to "hold my breath" until 3 months before to see if it fills up.

I can finally book my air flight for 6-06, and I don't know how early to book. Will I be able to book closer with a better deal? Will I be risking not getting on the non-stop 9 am flight? Should I just do it now, even though it is high? It could go higher!!!

 

[AdventureGuru]

I got BF to say I can put a down payment on our 2007 cruise...I've got my TA on the look out for the first day that sailings come out....she will have my Mc # and will just make the arrangements ...I love my TA! Hopefully this can get me a great price!!!
Guru

 

[jrabbit]

If you wanted to watch the price's tick up in "real" time you should have watched the repo cruises price increase from the opening bell to three days later when they were sold out. Sure made me glad that we booked the first day - albeit late (could have saved $1,000 if we booked earlier in the day), but I continued to watch the price increase by way more than 50% over the those next several days.